Vale's Sharp Increase in Iron Ore Output Wreaking Havoc on Others in Brazilian Mining Industry

On the heels of news in late May that Brazilian mining giant Vale planned to fund a $16 million expansion for its iron ore mines come reports of multiple mine closures and job losses along the country's iron ore front lines. Although these two circumstances may sound like contradictions on the surface, there's actually a direct connection.


Carajás Iron Mine from space.

Due to competition with Australian mines for Chinese business, major players within the Brazilian mining industry--such as Vale--have stepped up their iron ore production. The losers in this power dynamic, however, have not been limited to Australian companies. The losers have also been smaller Brazilian-based mines. Due to their higher production costs, they've been unable to keep up with increased demands.

Iron ore tends to be a scale game, with larger producers able to afford better infrastructure like rail or slurry pipes which in turn reduce costs. With less efficient infrastructure, smaller mines usually have higher costs and struggle in a price slump. (Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide)

So although Vale's iron ore expansion has benefited the company itself, and by extension Brazil's GDP; and although Vale's success expands Brazil's iron ore industry, this expansion comes at a cost.

Rampant unemployment is just one ramification facing mining communities. Local shop owners report having seen a one-third drop in traffic since the mine closures. Likewise, with 70% of local government revenue generated (whether directly or indirectly) by mining, it's likely that public projects will require severe cuts.

It's our hope that these smaller mining companies find a way to remain viable, offer stable jobs for their employees, and provide more competition on the open market.

Remember that we provide OTR tires for all of your iron ore mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

The post Vale’s Sharp Increase in Iron Ore Output Wreaking Havoc on Others in Brazilian Mining Industry appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.

I Love a Parade: Preparing Your Front End Loaders for Their Moment of Glory

It's true that front end loaders take a lot of flack for being troublemakers. After all, no other machine that we spotlight has developed such a reputation for crime sprees. But a hard look at the evidence proves that front end loaders aren't all bad. In fact, they have some fine qualities, and these qualities are always on their best display during community parades.

Since the 4th of July holiday is upcoming, we thought we'd help you get ahead of the curve by giving you some ideas for your next Independence Day Parade.

Anybody can drape their front end loader with red, white, and blue bunting for a patriotic look, but if you're looking for something a bit more creative, read on.

If you have a front end loader, you're about to be the life of the party.

Front End Loader Parade Ideas:

• Fill the bucket with candy to be thrown to the crowd along the parade route. After the show's over, park in a prominent location nearby, lower the bucket, and let passersby help themselves. This is sure to be a crowd favorite among children and adults alike.
• Construct large top hat and veil. Drive two front end loaders down the street side-by-side as bride and groom. Have two adorable children walk out front as flower girl and ring bearer. Brace yourself for oooh's and aaaaah's.
• For night parades, line the frame and wheels of your front end loader with glow-in-the-dark paints as an homage to the Tron light cycles. Prepare to be hailed as a genius.

Whatever you choose to do, don't miss the opportunity to enroll your front end loaders in your local Independence Day parade or other festivity. Not only will a well-placed sign give you a bit of free advertising along the parade route or the event grounds, but your involvement is a great opportunity to show your interest in the local community.

Remember that we carry a full stock of big tires for all of your front end loaders. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: Old Photos Blogspot

The post I Love a Parade: Preparing Your Front End Loaders for Their Moment of Glory appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.

U.S. Fracking Industry Spotlight: News Snippets from Texas

Keeping up with U.S. mining industry news can be a challenge. With coal, mineral, diamond, and many other types of mines operating in many states, the burden of keeping up with what's going on, and where, and how it's affecting the overall industry can feel heavy. Fortunately, we are here to help lighten the burden for you.

As you will see below, much of the resource extraction news coming from Texas right now centers on the issue of fracking for oil in shale formations. As you will also note, the situation has become slightly incoherent.

U.S. Fracking Industry Spotlight: News Snippets from Texas:

• "Dissecting Denton: How a Texas City Banned Fracking" - According to the Texas Tribune, the citizens of Denton came together late in 2014 to ban local fracking. For citizens in a state built on gas and oil money, this was a noteworthy turn of events.
• "Texas Governor Bans Cities and Towns from Banning Fracking" - Although this headline reads as farce, the problem is actually quite serious. With the debate over fracking at a fever pitch in the state since November of 2014, arguments over who has ultimate authority to enforce regulations ongoing, and the state's conflicting desire to smooth out Texas's "patchwork quilt" of uneven regulations from region to region infuriating parties on both sides, the need to ban cities from banning fracking is the end result of the seeming madness.
• "Exhausting Legal Options, Residents of Texas Town Take Direct Action to Enforce Fracking Ban" - Citing the ban on bans as a "naked display of corruption," protests and sit-ins continue, despite arrests and criminal trespassing charges.

In summary, the citizens worked to ban fracking, the governor banned the ban, and the activists seek to ban the banning of the ban. No matter where you stand personally on the issue of fracking, we're sure you'll join us in hoping that these civic debates can be resolved quickly, coherently and peaceably.

Remember that we carry a full supply of OTR tires for all of your construction, oil well site prep and mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: "Oil well" by Flcelloguy at the English language Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The post U.S. Fracking Industry Spotlight: News Snippets from Texas appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.

Front End Loaders Make Headway in Revamping Their Image

Front loader removing mud and rock from Wind River Canyon road.

Longtime readers of our blog are aware of the many hijinks involving front end loaders. A recent spate of positive news reports, however, has lead us to suspect that these much-maligned (and possibly misunderstood) machines may have begun a concerted effort to revamp their tarnished image.

First, after spring landslides in Wyoming led to a shut-down of roads in Wind River Canyon, who should come trundling along to do the heavy lifting? Heroic front end loaders, of course.

And when a truck carrying animal carcasses left a stinky spill along Washington State's I-5 just south of Seattle, who came to the rescue almost immediately? A contingent of plucky front end loaders, that's who.

Who cleared the recent avalanche on Indy Pass near Aspen, helped a downed aircraft reach help, and spent much of this past winter tirelessly banking snow to keep area residents from being stranded? That's right. Front end loaders.

With all of these positive reports, it seems likely that the troublesome front end loaders of North America will soon revamp their image from the black sheep of the heavy equipment family to the cherished, heavy equipment heroes.

For some, that day has already come. Witness one Grand Rapids construction company choosing to throw a birthday party for one of their own cherished front end loaders. Of course, the celebration also commemorates a long-time partnership between two successful companies, but still. This positive reinforcement seems a step in the right direction.

Have you seen a well-meaning front end loader out there doing good deeds? Feel free to share your stories in the comments.

Don't forget that we carry a full supply of OTR tires for all of your loader or dozer needs. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: CodyEnterprise.com

The post Front End Loaders Make Headway in Revamping Their Image appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.

Brazilian Mining Industry Growth Stymied by Government Foot Dragging

Brazilian National Congress Building

It's been nearly nine months since our last update on the projected changes to Brazil's mining codes. Unfortunately, there isn't much update to offer. How these changes would directly affect the Brazilian mining industry is still anybody's best guess, since the codes seem no closer to going into effect now than they did back in September.

The time is ripe for change, however. Cheery headlines claiming that Brazil's mines are outperforming their Australian counterparts are well enough... unless you have been keeping abreast of what's been going on with the Australian mining industry.

While Brazil's mining industry may be growing overall, that doesn't mean that individual sectors have been uninfluenced by the stymied bill. With news of mine closures and job losses coming from the iron ore sector in June and Reuters reporting that certain international mining companies have been avoiding investments in Brazil until the new mining laws are in effect, the government really cannot afford to continue dragging the situation out.

Mining is a vital part of Brazil's economy, accounting for about a third of exports. The saga over this law comes when the sector is already out of favor due to concerns of a slowdown in China. Industry group IBRAM estimated last year Brazil had missed out on 20 billion reais ($8.89 billion) of investment due to the uncertainty surrounding the code. (Reuters)

Talk of corruption and scandal in the Brazilian government really is news to no one at this point, but it's sad to see an ineffective government negatively influencing the livelihood of South American miners. It's our hope that the Brazilian government pulls itself together soon and that new mining bills are passed quickly.

Remember that we carry a full supply of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. We routinely ship to numerous mines throughout Brazil. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: "Brasilia Congresso Nacional 05 2007 221" by Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

The post Brazilian Mining Industry Growth Stymied by Government Foot Dragging appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.

Cunning Innovation Simplifies Haul Truck Tire Removal

If you're keeping up with developments in the world of haul truck tires, then you're aware that there are exciting changes in the air. In case you've been too busy to keep up, however, we're here to fill in the gaps.

One of the best innovations to come across our radar recently is one that facilitates haul truck tire removal and replacement, streamlining the process for technicians while saving both time and money.

According to the Elko Daily Free Press, the crew at the Goldstrike Tire Shop recently invented a new tool that allows for a faster removal of the tedious one hundred and thirteen lug nuts required to hold a haul truck tire in place.

“We used to have to move the rad gun, which is used to loosen the lug nuts, around the wheel and get into some weird body positions,” said Chris Zeiler, the open pit tire shop supervisor. “Now, we just stand on the ground and the device moves the wheel for us.” (Elko Daily)

Described as a rotation device operated by a foot pedal, this innovative device saves time and effort on the part of the technician tasked with changing the tire. Since both time and effort are reduced, this tool will cuts down on expenses by shortening task length.

With new developments cropping up on a regular basis and more no doubt in the pipeline to be revealed in the days ahead, it's certainly an exciting time for the world of haul truck tires.

Remember that we carry a full line of OTR tires for all of your haul truck needs. Please feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: Elko Daily

The post Cunning Innovation Simplifies Haul Truck Tire Removal appeared first on BuyBigTires.com.